Jake Ryan commits to Michigan

Matt Pargoff | Publisher

An official weekend visitor, linebacker Jake Ryan didn't need long to think about his future. After receiving an official scholarship offer from the Maize and Blue, he pledged to Michigan, Ryan told TheWolverine.com today …

"I called Coach Rodriguez and told him that I want to be a Wolverine," he said. "He was excited and said I made his day. He said that you'll love it here and welcome to the family. He was really excited."

The 6-3, 225-pounder from Westlake, Ohio becomes the 26th member of U-M's Class of 2010.

"I just thought it over and made a list of what I liked and what I enjoyed about the school," he explained. "Michigan had everything that I liked and enjoyed, so I chose them."

"It was just the whole entire academic picture, the Michigan name and everything about it. All the guys that are coming in - I really like them and they're good guys that you would want to play with for four years. I think all the coaches and facilities were amazing. All of it was just a great experience on the visit."

Also carrying scholarship offers from Bowling Green, Ball State, Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan and Toledo, Ryan flew under the radar on the recruiting picture after missing much of his junior year to injury. The Wolverines began contacting him last month, and he explained how he reached a decision.

"It was just the MAC schools that offered," he said. "I really liked those schools, but I was looking for something bigger, so Michigan came out on top."

Ryan is the high school teammate of fellow linebacker Scott McVey, who will play for Ohio State in college. While they will line up on opposite sides of the rivalry for the next four or five years, the friendship between the two remains strong.

"I was actually with him last night and we were talking about it and said it's going to be funny having him on the other team," commented Ryan. "It's going to be funny, because I've been playing with him for four years.

"There hasn't been any trash talking yet. There probably will be down the road, but he's excited for me and I'll just wish him the best of luck throughout his career, except for the one game a year."